Hydrating Foods You Should Be Eating

Water does much more for your health than just quench your thirst. It keeps your metabolism working steadily, so you’re burning calories all day—even when you’re “at rest.” It also helps fill you up, so that you’re less likely to mistake dehydration for hunger. Nutrisystem dietitians recommend you get about 64 ounces of water every day. But, that doesn’t mean you have to chug down glass after glass to keep yourself hydrated. The hydrating foods you eat also contribute to your daily intake.

Water makes up more than 90 percent of the weight of 10 very popular vegetables. All of them are non-starchy sources of your greens, meaning you can enjoy as much of them as you want and stay on track with your Nutrisystem weight loss plan. Eat them raw or lightly steamed to really maximize their moisture content.

Fill up on veggie nutrition with these 10 hydrating foods:

1. Cucumbers

Water content: About 96 percent
Try this: Substitute juicy “cuke” slices for lettuce in your favorite sandwich and skip the mayo.

2. Romaine lettuce

Water content: About 95 percent
Try this: Fill firm romaine leaves with a whole grain and bean salad for a quick, nourishing lunch you can eat on-the-go.

3. Celery

Water content: About 95 percent
Try this: Dip stalks in a fourth of a cup of hummus (a SmartCarb on Nutrisystem), instead of peanut butter, which has more than five times as much fat.

4. Radishes

Water content: About 95 percent
Try this: Get crafty with the Fresh Radish Salad on The Leaf. Or, top a slice of whole wheat toast (one SmartCarb on Nutrisystem) with a tablespoon of creamy, mashed avocado (an Extra) and thin slices of zesty radish.

5. Zucchini

Water content: About 95 percent
Try this: Look for zucchini “noodles” in the produce section at the grocery store or make your own with a spiralizer. Your Shrimp Scampi couldn’t get healthier!

6. Tomato

Water content: About 94 percent
Try this: Carve out the tomato’s stem and a few inches around and below it, then fill the opening with tuna! A half of a cup of water-packed tuna counts as a PowerFuel on Nutrisystem.

7. Bell Peppers

Water content: About 93 percent
Try this: Toss diced peppers with splashes of vinegar, a teaspoon of oil (one Extra on Nutrisystem) and fresh herbs to make a simple relish for sandwiches.

8. Cauliflower

Water content: About 92 percent
Try this: Steam florets until tender, then whip them with non-fat milk to make a healthy alternative to mashed potatoes.

9. Spinach

Water content: About 91 percent
Try this: Add a handful of spinach to smoothies for an extra-hefty dose of vitamins and fiber.

10. Broccoli

Water content: About 90 percent
Try this: Shred the stalks (the stems that are often discarded) and use them as the base for a tasty variation on coleslaw.

How Much Water Do You Really Need? How to Know

Read More